George Edson Leonard Jr., of Harrison, Idaho, died Dec. 1, 2013, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

George was born May 28, 1939, in Taunton, Mass., the son of George E. Leonard Sr. and Mildred H. (French) Leonard. He graduated from Taunton High School.

In 1957 George entered the military and completed basic training at Ft. Benning, Ga., and officer’s training at Ft. Bragg, N.C. During his 14 years of service as a SGT 1st class he was a member of the 504th Airborne, the 82nd Airborne and the 101st “Screaming Eagles” Airborne. He was deployed in battle time to Lebanon, Germany, and did two tours in Vietnam. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal 4th AWD, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal w/v Device 2 OLC.

George was formerly married to Shirley Amaral of Taunton and had four beautiful children.

George attended Glendale College and was editor of the college paper. He studied journalism and was interested in investigative reporting. He loved art and made beautiful sculptures. He was a songwriter and a musician. He was a card dealer in Las Vegas. He loved boats and canoed on Lake Tahoe. He had a special love for his children and family. George went on to marry Diane Mae Wenz for 24 years and had two more beautiful children.

He spent his remaining years as a sheepherder in Idaho and bred Border Collies. George practiced a natural way of life by living off the earth and his farm.

He is survived by his children, Paula J. (Leonard) Plapis, David M. Leonard and Sharon T. (Leonard) Hutchinson, all from Massachusetts, Iris (Leonard) Raivio of Coeur d’Alene; and predeceased by his sons, George E. Leonard III of Massachusetts and Edward G. Leonard of Harrison; and his sister, Susan Beaudion. He also leaves his sisters, Barbara A. Smith of Massachusetts and Deborah Parker of San Diego, Calif.; along with 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel, with a visitation at 10 a.m. A reception at Yates Funeral Home will follow the service. Please visit George’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.